The Washington critic., 1887-02-19
RAPID AND SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH.
Interesting Information Concerning
One of Our Leading business Houses.


one of Our Leading Business Houses.
or the thousands Of W1shlncton ladies
who daily peruse the columns Of TIE CRITIC
(yeiy many OF whom are In the habit Of
ratronizing the "Bon Marche,n Noe. 3l1-
3lS Seventh street northwest), there are few
wlo have any Idea OF tia magnitu le OF the
business transacted at that emporium; and
still fewer who realize its immense details
and the perfect system in vogue, by which
the proprietors arc enabled to manage sue
cessfully business which has already
reached large proportions and is daily To-
creasipg in extent.
slow Is 1t possible for you to keep the
run Of all the details OF SO large and varied
business as you are transactlng ~ inquired
Critic representative Of the senior part.
ner OF the "Don Marche. yesterday.
ut Is as easily done as Is tue business at
1nE CRITIC Office was the reply.
That business at the "Bon Marchen is
well managed, the o. Il. knows, but hOiC Is
ttill mystery. Further conversation led
to an invitation to inspect the various de.
partments OF the store and much Interesting
Information was gained.
The visitor found on the left OF the en-
trance, the following departments iu the
order mentioned: Hosiery, umbrellas, ilan-
mel underwear, collars, cuffs and ruchngs,
laces and embroideries, corsets and bustles.
Under the stairs is the notion department
"a marvel OF variety and quantity.
On the north side OF the store, starting
from tho main stairway, is the cashier 5
elevated desk, and counters laden with gift
goods. stationery, ribbons, flowers and
fancy feathers silks, satin and velvets for
millinery nnU IrpsR TRIMMINGS
In the centre are the iewelry, leather
goods, fan, handkerchief and glove depart.
ments.
A word about the cash system at the "Bon
Marche." II is of the most approved pat
tern, works perfectly and Is the only one OF
It's kind in use south of New York.
The second floor is utilized for the display
OF untfimmed hats, aud for the manufacture
OF custom millinery, for muslin underwear,
cloaks and Infants goods.
Ile business offices are on the third floor,
front; the rear OF this floor aud the entire
fouith floor are used for the storage Of
reserved stock.
The strides OF the "Bon Marcho' into
popular favor have been almost pheUonc-
nal, but easily accounted for. Al,usion has
been made to the admirable system under
which the store is managed. 4 part OF this
system finds expression In certain iuexor-
able rules, TO which employees are required
| to conform; and infringement Of any of these
rules is followed By immediate dismissal.
Reference may be made TO some OF these
rules, and, peihaps, the most important one
is that employees are required to represent
| goods just as they are, so that patrons
| know just what they are buying. II goods,
| on examination at the homes OF purchasers,
| arc not found to be precisely as represented,
| the proprietors of the NBon Marche'' are
| not only willing to refund their patrons
money, but will feel indebted to customers
| for calling attention to the error.
A second rule is to mark goods al me
| start at the lowest price at which a reputa-
bic house can afford to sell, for cash-for,
| be II remembered, the "Bon Marcher does
no deviation from said pice, under any
circumstances whatever.
Another popularity, which has served to
inspire the confidence of patrons In the
"Bon Marohe,n is the fact that their news
| paper advertisements state things lust as
they are; and ladies have learned that they
| will find just the goods described, at lust
the prices quoted, In Just the quantities au-
nounced. In word, the truth is told, and
| ladies have found 1t out. This system Of
square dealing has contributed very largely
| to the success OF the establishment,
or course the store is crowded with
| goods, and It's capacity frequently tried to
the utmost, particularly In busy seasons;
| but the best possible advantage is taken of
the space at disposal. The show windows,
| too, are altogether too limited to make the
magnificent display that the material at
hand and the good taste OF the manage
| ment would otherwise warrant; and vet
these windows are always the centre OF ad
| miring attention, as indicating moiety Of
| the large aud valuable display within.
Still another peculiarly OF the manage
ment Of the "Bon Marclie" is the faculty
| displayed In making their patrons feel at
home while purchasing goods. For rea-
sons mentioned (and for many others),
ladies like to trade at this store, aud a Gus
toner made Is customer retained. OF
| course, in the conduct OF so large busi-
ness, many employees are required, and the
number OF clerks varies from sixty to one
hundred, as the season may be dull or
| brisk. Free delivery wagons are kept busy
| in carrying goods to the residences OF pa
irons, four deliveries being made daily.
The "Bon Marche" Is not dry goods
store, although many goods, such as are
commonly found on the counters OF dry
| goods stores, will be found on Its counters.
1t Is, more properly speaking, fancy
| goods store.
OF the future of this establishment 1t Is
not the writer's province to speak. The
"Bon Marcheh of to-day is the subject oil
this article. Its present location cannot be
| improved upon, situated as 1t is very close
to Pennsylvania avenue, and on the
crowded thoroughfare Of Seventh street
convenient to two lines of street cars, rail
rood stations, the postoillce, etc, etc.
1t has been pleasure to alude In thi:
article to one of the institutions OF Wash
ington, an attraction In It's way quite as In
terestiDg as many others with which tn,
Capital Of the Nation is filled. And II th,
prosperity of city may fairly be estimated
by the character OF its business houses, the
reputation Of Washington will not suffer In
this respect by the business management oi
| tha tIRnn Marchpf -